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“After all you've endured, you must be tired beyond words. Use the remaining hours of today to rest, and I will see you tomorrow.”
> [ You're not staying? ]
[ Goodnight. ]
“It is important I return to Bethel and await further orders.”
> [ Please stay. ]
[ Oh. Goodnight then. ]
“Hm.” Aogami's eyebrows knit slightly. “You did say you were exhausted. Perhaps you wish to feel protected while you are vulnerable?”
Aogami crosses his arms, thinking.
“Or, it could be because of what happened in Shinagawa Station? You had a rather close call there. I am relieved I was able to reach you in time.”
He closes his eyes in thought.
“Either way... I don't require any repairs. And any orders I have will almost certainly be for the two of us as one. It makes sense, then, for me to remain close at hand in case of another emergency.”
He nods definitively. “Very well. I will stay.”
Kei smiles and takes Aogami's hand, gently guiding him towards the bed. He settles in, and then holds up the blanket for Aogami.
“Hm? Oh. That is not necessary. I do not mind standing while I watch over you.”
> [ Get in here. ]
[ Fine. ]
“...Very well.”
Aogami delicately takes the blanket, and carefully moves into the bed next to him. The bed frame creaks in warning as Aogami settles onto his back.
[ Maybe not… ]
> [ Comfortable?]
“More than I expected. Though, is it not uncomfortable for you? You seem to need to lay halfway across my body.”
[ There's plenty of room. ]
> [ I'm exactly where I want to be. ]
= The Next Day =
Kei feels a hand run gently through his hair.
“Good morning, Young Man. Did you sleep well?”
Kei sleepily raises his head.
[ I did. ]
> [ I think you have an idea. ]
“That I do.”
There's a knock. “It's me.”
Yoko opens the door and steps inside. Spotting them on the bed, she freezes.
“I… Wh-why are you two…”
Kei returns her wide-eyed shock with an unbothered, heavy-lidded gaze of his own. The corner of his mouth slowly curls into a smirk. He resettles his head onto Aogami's chest, and looks at her expectantly.
As if shocked back into her body, Yoko looks away, clearing her throat. She holds her hand up to cover the two of them, but it doesn't hide how red she is.
“W-We need to get to Bethel. I'll tell them you're getting ready. Just — hurry up!”
She quickly turns and rushes out, clumsily slamming the door behind her.
“Young Man… Was something wrong? Her behavior was peculiar.”
[ She wasn't expecting to see us like this.]
> [ She must have a lot on her mind. ]
“I'm not sure that entirely explains this.”
There's a softer knock. “Um, Kei? Are you in there?” It's Tao.
She opens the door slowly and squeezes in. “I heard a loud slam, and I came to ch-”
Tao startles. “OH!” Her hand covers her mouth. Um-” Her cheeks turn pink, but she's beaming behind her hand. “Uh, I'm sorry! I… If I had known, I wouldn't have come in! I swear!”
She quickly steps back, keeping her eyes averted. “We're supposed to go to Bethel right now. So, uh, please hurry and get ready.” She opens the door and slides back out, but pauses. “And uh, I'm happy for you two!"
[ No wait, it's not what you think! ]
> [ Thank you. ]
“Sure thing! See you downstairs. And, uhmm… Make sure your door is locked from now on.”
She fumbles for the inner lock, sets it, then steps out, giggling the rest of the way down the hall.
Aogami rests his hand on Kei's shoulder. “I also received a notice from Bethel. We should get moving.”
> [ Five more minutes… ]
[ Alright. Let's go. ]
= Bonus =
“What is the meaning of this?”
“I'm sorry, Lilith. But I couldn't find him anywhere!”
“You couldn't find him?! Why not?!”
“Perhappssss he wasssn't asleep. Or hhheee was too exhausssted for usss to reach him.”
“How can that be? Joining as a Nahobino couldn't be that tiring.”
“May I suggest: It could be that he is a night owl?”
“...It must be that. How pitiful. Mankind has truly become divorced from the natural state of the world. Keep searching - he'll probably pass out any minute now.”